Once a sugar cane and coconut plantation fronting a two-mile stretch of white sandy beach, The St Regis Bahia Resort is now a manicured 139-bedroom hotel. Designed by Puerto Rican interiors expert designer Nono Maldonado, the bedrooms are elegant and contemporary. Guests can chill out at the Iridium spa, play a round or two at the esteemed world-class Robert Trent Jones Jr. 18-hole golf course, swim in the curved pool and dine in one of three eateries; Seagrape, Paros and the St Regis Bar. The resort is also a wildlife reserve — you’ll likely be able to spot some of the island’s colourful parrots.